Paragraph 1:28–31

In the previous paragraph, both the Hebrew text and the English versions use “you” pronouns. These pronouns indicate that Wisdom is directly addressing the foolish people in her audience. In paragraph 1:28–31, the Hebrew text changes from “you” to “they” pronouns. There are two ways to interpret this pronoun change:

(1) Some versions change from “you” to “they” pronouns. This change implies that Wisdom is now talking about the fools rather than addressing them directly. For example:

Then they will call me… (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) Other versions continue to use “you” pronouns. This implies that Wisdom continues to speak to the fools that she addressed in 1:22–27. For example:

Then you will call to me… (New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most English versions and scholars. Some scholars think that the change of pronouns indicates the climax of this section. The change of pronouns may also imply that Wisdom is talking about the fools to a different audience. This audience may be the readers of the book or the “son” mentioned in 1:8 and 1:15. It is also possible that Wisdom summarizes in her own mind what she has just announced to the fools in her audience.

In many languages, it will be necessary to indicate explicitly that Wisdom is no longer addressing the same audience. Some ways to do this are to use one or more of the following options:

• Put quotation marks at the end of 1:27.

• Supply a statement at the end of 1:27 that Wisdom is no longer addressing the same audience. For example:

That is what Wisdom said to those foolish people.

• Start 1:28 with a clause that indicates a new quote. For example:

Then Wisdom said, “…

• Add a footnote that explains that Wisdom is no longer addressing the same audience.

1:28

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

28a Then they will call on me, but I will not answer ;

28b
they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.

1:28a

Then they will call on me: The Hebrew text does not specify why they will call to Wisdom. Since the people were in distress, they will probably call for help. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this information explicit. For example:

You will ask for my help (Contemporary English Version)

1:28b

they will earnestly seek me: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as earnestly seek me means to search for with great effort. This meaning is accurately expressed as follows:

they will seek me diligently (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
they will look eagerly for me (New Jerusalem Bible)

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